Botswana continued to address the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 , beginning its vaccination process through the importation of vaccines. On November 11, Botswana was the location of the first documented case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant . 2021 also saw the discovery of two diamonds in Botswana that exceeded 1000 carats, becoming the third and fourth largest diamonds ever discovered. In relations with its neighbouring countries, Botswana continued to address violence at the Botswana–Namibia border , and it entered into the conflict in Cabo Delgado in support of the government of Mozambique.
A man wearing a mask and sanitising during the COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana Kazungula Bridge Botswana soldiers board a plane to Mozambique July – The epidemic of HfN1 avian flu spreads to Botswana.[ 31]
5 July – Botswana authorises Shumba Energy to create the country's first large scale solar plant .[ 32]
7 July – A 1,174-carat diamond is presented to Botswana government after being discovered at the Karowe diamond mine , becoming the third largest diamond ever discovered.[ 33]
13 July – Botswana begins work on its first iron-ore mine.[ 34]
16 July – COVID-19 pandemic: Schools in Botswana are closed for one month in response to COVID-19 outbreaks.[ 35]
26 July – Botswana sends 296 soldiers to Mozambique to fight the insurgency in Cabo Delgado.[ 36]
30 July – Khoemacau Copper Mine is officially opened.[ 37] August –
23 August – Intelligence agent Welheminah Mphoeng Maswabi is acquitted on charges of conspiring to effect regime change.[ 40]
27 August – COVID-19 pandemic: Botswana guarantees that undocumented immigrants and refugees will be allowed COVID-19 vaccines.[ 41] 10 November – President Masisi visits Paris to speak to UNESCO and French businesses.[ 51]
11 November – COVID-19 pandemic: A new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the Omicron variant , is discovered in Botswana.[ 52]
29 November – The Court of Appeal unanimously upholds a case decriminalising homosexuality.[ 53] 2 December – The World Health Organization certifies that the mother-to-child HIV transmission in Botswana has fallen under five percent.[ 54]
29 December – Goabaone Taylor is suspended as CEO of the Botswana Football Association amid allegations of misappropriated funds.[ 55] 25 January – David Bright , 64, football manager (Mogoditshane Fighters , Cape Town , national team ); complications from COVID-19.[ 56]
25 February – Archibald Mogwe , 99, politician and diplomat, minister of foreign affairs (1974–1984).[ 57]
5 March – Sasa Klaas , 27, rapper; helicopter crash .[ 58]
12 March – Ismail Bhamjee , 77, former FIFA official, COSAFA president, Botswana Football Association president; complications from COVID-19.[ 59]
2 June – Linah Mohohlo , 69, governor of the Bank of Botswana ; complications from COVID-19.[ 60]
30 July – Shona Ferguson , 47, actor and businessman; complications from COVID-19.[ 61]
13 August – Keitumetse Paul , 48, football player; complications from COVID-19.[ 62]
29 August – Jakoba Keiphile , 93, founder of the Eloyi Christian Church ; complications from COVID-19[ 63]
7 December – Naledi Willers , television personality (The Real Housewives of Johannesburg [ 64]
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